REMEMBERING: Johnny "Chop" Vasko – May 3, 1971-March 28, 2006

It's too bad that the news wire services and the media don't feel that it's important enough to let the biker world know when one of their own passes on.

It's too bad that the news wire services and the media don't feel that it's important enough to let the biker world know when one of their own passes on.

I picked up a June 2006 edition of the Thunder Press to see that Johnny "Chop" Vasko had passed away. I was stunned and then immediately upset at the fact that he died in March and I was just finding this out. I felt that there was a need for me to honor another dedicated, talented and up-and-coming builder who was really just beginning to impress us.

Vasko was not only Chica's right-hand man, but also one of the most respected bike builders around. His classic old-school style was truly unique in the bike builder world. His F.U. bike and his Hard Rock bike were fine examples of his artistry and the Frisco-style that he created, which brought Johnny into the leagues of Indian Larry and his good friend Roland Sands. You could tell by looking at his handiwork that he truly enjoyed what he was doing.

He may not have been as well-known as Indian Larry, but his mastery of welding was soon recognized through Discovery Channel's "Biker Build-Off," where he was matched against Hank Young Choppers. He'd rather build and ride bikes. After that, Johnny soon gave birth to Johnny Chop Industries, and his name became a household word.

He was always present at bike events across the country and his practical designs proved him to be an innovator in the competitive field of custom bike building. He touched millions of lives wherever he went. His life was cut short on March 28, 2006, at the age of 34 when he died of a heart ailment.

This has been a year-long project for me and I wanted to do it right. I wanted to find out exactly who Johnny "Chop" Vasko was, and I could only accomplish this by speaking with the people who knew him best. Let me tell you that after writing this story and listening to his family and friends, not only did he build beautiful bikes, but also he had a heart of gold.

On this first anniversary of his death, I was honored to be able to speak with Tom Foster, master builder and fabricator of custom rides. He is not only the founder of Landsharkz Inc., but also was one of Vasko's best buddies. Like Johnny, Tom strives for designs characterized by classic lines and functionality.

The following are excerpts from that interview with Foster, made during a phone call to California.

Photos by

Russ Bryant Viperimages.com

Rick Hustead

Seth, Dragon Knight ZX Photography

Bikerimages.net

Michael Lichter

Donna Burke of Alpha Wolf Marketing,

Barbara Vasko, Tom Foster, John Geary and Roland Sands contributed to this story.